Cumberland

Village of Cumberland — History

In the 19th century, coal was first mined from the Village of Cumberland on Vancouver Island. It served as the primary source of fuel which in turn, made coal mining an important industry. Cumberland was active in coal mining from 1888 to 1966 and was considered the Industrial hub of the region, attracting workers from Europe, China and Japan.

The transcontinental railway track was laid across BC and spread into Alberta. As coal was the primary source of railway fuel and steam engines, the proximity of coalmines adjacent to railway lines was very common. Coal from the Cumberland mines was transported to other communities via the railway and was also shipped from Union Bay.

Today, many heritage buildings can still be seen along the main street, and the Cumberland Museum and Archives showcases the area's rich history. An eclectic arts scene is developing, with an art gallery, funky shops and live music venues. Just steps from the village, Comox Lake and the surrounding area provides excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, camping, hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking.

Comox Valley Voted #1 Island by Travel & Leisure Magazine Readers

The Comox Valley is located at the midway point of the east coast of Vancouver Island, recently voted 'the best island in the Continental U.S. and Canada' by reader of Travel and Leisure magazine. Stunning scenery surrounds the community, with the Comox Glacier crowning the Beaufort Mountain range to the west, and the calm waters of the Georgia Straight to the east. With more sunshine than Vancouver or Nanaimo, the Comox Valley enjoys mild winters and warm, dry summers.

Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland are part of the Comox Valley

There are three major communities in the Comox Valley; the seaside town of Comox, the city of Courtenay and the historic village of Cumberland. The smaller communities of Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, Union Bay, Royston, Saratoga Beach, Merville and Black Creek are also part of the Comox Valley.

Recreation and Parks

Recreation opportunities are endless in the Comox Valley, where you can enjoy world class skiing at Mount Washington (www.mountwashington.ca), golfing on seven different courses including the renowned Crown Isle Resort, or sail the famed waters of Desolation Sound. As well, there are numerous parks, hiking and mountain bike trails, rock-climbing, kayaking, fishing and much more. Just a short ferry ride away are Denman and Hornby Islands, where you can enjoy the natural beauty of Provincial Parks. Or visit the famed white sand beach at Tribune Bay, where waters reach near-tropical temperatures. There are many charming shops, galleries and homey B&B's to discover along the way.

Location of the Comox Valley

The Comox Valley can be accessed by land, sea or air. It's just a three hour drive on highway 19A North from Victoria, and only an hour's drive north from Nanaimo, where BC Ferries has two terminals to serve passengers traveling to or from Vancouver. There is daily rail service between Courtenay and Victoria. West Coast Air offers daily float plane service between Comox and downtown Vancouver. The Comox Valley Airport offers daily flights to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and has the capability for international flights. The Comox Valley also has its own bus transit system, serving Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, and Royston, with connections to Campbell River. The transit system also offers disabled users separate door-to-door services.

Visit the Comox Valley

With it's stunning natural beauty, mild weather, unparalleled recreational activities, convenient transportation and vibrant communities, it's no wonder that the Comox Valley has one of British Columbia's fastest growth rates. It is the choice of many to come, visit, enjoy and live.